Objective To develop the preliminary version of function impairment screening tool (FIST) for the elderly Chinese population. Methods We selected the scales related to function assessment for the elderly by searching and reviewing literature and established an item pool after panel discussion. Then we filtered the items using the Delphi Method. A FIST questionnaire was emailed to 25 experts who evaluated the items in terms of their importance and feasibility and provided basis of judgement and familiarity. A preliminary version of FIST was determined after the items were screened according to the opinions of experts as specified by the average value and coefficient of variation. Results Literature searching and expert panel resulted in a secondary level of 25 items. In the first and second rounds of panel discussion, the coefficients of positivity were 80% and 100% and the degree of authority 0.94 and 0.90, respectively. The Kendall′s concordance coefficient of importance was 0.26 (P<0.001) for the first round and 0.39 (P<0.001) for the second round. The Kendall′s concordance coefficient of importance of applicability was 0.28 (P<0.001) for the first round and 0.37 for the second round (P<0.001). Based on the scores and expert opinions, 3 first-level and 18 second-level indicators were finally retained. Conclusion The preliminary version of the FIST for the elderly with 3 first-level and 18 second-level indicators was established using Delphi method.